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Written Question
Abortion: Northern Ireland
Wednesday 13th May 2020

Asked by: Huw Merriman (Conservative - Bexhill and Battle)

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of abortion services in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Robin Walker

Abortion services are now a matter for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.

I am pleased that some service provision has commenced through existing sexual and reproductive health services in the Belfast, Northern and Western Trust areas. Information on these services is available through the Informing Choices NI helpline and the Central Booking Service.

I hope that longer-term services can be commissioned as soon as possible in the current circumstances, consistent with the Regulations we made.

The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 which were laid in March have now been replaced with the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 , which were laid in the House today. These regulations come into effect on 14th May and revoke the earlier regulations. Their legal effect in supporting the provision of services remains consistent, with a small correction having been made to address the concerns of the JCSI, so services can continue on the same basis.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill

"My right hon. Friend, who chairs the Select Committee, is making an excellent speech. The judgment of the Supreme Court—the case was lost on a technicality—made it quite clear that Parliament is out of step with its UN treaty obligations. Does she agree that it is regrettable that despite that, …..."
Huw Merriman - View Speech

View all Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
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"Does my hon. Friend recognise that treaty obligations are a matter for Parliament, so this is not actually an issue about devolution? The Supreme Court has made that point, too...."
Huw Merriman - View Speech

View all Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill

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Huw Merriman - View Speech

View all Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill

"I rise to speak in favour of amendment 9, the details of which have just been explained by the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana Johnson); of new clause 10, tabled by the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy); and of new clause 1, which stands in the …..."
Huw Merriman - View Speech

View all Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill

"I will take one intervention, given that I have made so many myself...."
Huw Merriman - View Speech

View all Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill

"I understand the hon. Lady’s point, because when I visited Northern Ireland I received a few choice emails from residents suggesting that I go back to where I came from. The reality is that this is the UK Parliament, and I believe that it is for this Parliament to take …..."
Huw Merriman - View Speech

View all Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Jul 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill

"I said that I would take only one intervention, if the right hon. Gentleman does not mind.

I say this, particularly to Members on these Conservative Benches: there might be technical reasons why they could be persuaded by the argument that this is a devolved matter—although I think legally that …..."
Huw Merriman - View Speech

View all Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 06 Mar 2019
Oral Answers to Questions

"Q8. Across the country, freeholders and leaseholders are being ripped off by management companies charging excessive service charges, often for services they do not require. Many of these people are vulnerable pensioners who are trapped in McCarthy & Stone properties with their asset depreciating thanks to the dominant involvement of …..."
Huw Merriman - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 24 Oct 2018
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill

"My hon. Friend is being generous in giving way. The recent Supreme Court decision requested that lawmakers take action where our law is incompatible with treaties that involve requirements on the UK Parliament. Even if it was just a matter for Northern Ireland, it has been almost two years since …..."
Huw Merriman - View Speech

View all Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill